O.K. I guess we did it. We somehow pulled it off. After all of the late nights Becky worked on the computer , copying things and just talking to each other on what if this happens or what if that happens and then what will we do. I can honestly say that I had a great time ,I got to see some of the best tractors in the U.S.A. .I have always bragged on our members and once again I need to brag some more. First all I think my Daughter did a great job on singing, she brought tears to my eyes being so proud . I would like to also thank my wife for putting up with me ,trying to keep me straight and taking on this pull and doing her job. This pull was no different than any other pull in some ways. Just think about it. We do the same thing at every pull ,we pull tractors with a sled and have a good time. The biggest thing was, This was a indoor pull and we had all of these tractors that was supposed to be there that did not make it. Along with this we had some heavy hitters ,and we were all was scared that it would be a flop. We were scared that we would not be able to let all of the tractors pull three or four times. Then we were worried about no body showing up. The bottom line is everything worked out great . We did have some members ask me why did we have two sleds? Why did we split up the classes ? Why didn't we run the fast classes on one side and all of the stock classes on the other side. Well lets look at all of this I was the one that decided to get another sled just in case our sled broke. Guess what, I looked up the track and saw our sled not working . Dee corrected the problem like he always does and we were pulling again on that side. What would have happend if he could not have fixed the problem and here we are all of these great pullers that want to put on a great show for us and now they can not pull.The second thing ,Why not put all the fast tractors on one side and slow tractors on the other. I had three go to people that I worked with on this Ricky,Dee,Becky. Becky takes care of the running order all year and nothing is going to change in her position as long as she wants to do this. Now she did like always called Dee and Ricky and asked them and they together worked it out. You see it is kind a hard for me being in this position to change some ones job for one pull to make one person happy. Now there was a change in the running order on Ricky's sled in order to keep the pull going. The change was not done to hurt anybody or to make anybody mad it was done to keep the pull going. It could have been relayed to more people including Brian but a lot of things were going on at that time. Also when I gave the drivers meeting speech I did say if you were pulling on both tracks we would work with you and we might have to put you back in the running order but we would work with you on this. We all have jobs to do and if you have more than one tractor to pull then you are real busy . I pull two tractors and it is rough .
I guess what I am trying to say is I gave a lot of thought to this pull. I looked at this as I need a back up plan in case something happens. That is the reason we had two sleds. To put all of the modified tractors on one track and the slow ones on the other would have been a bad show. I have reviewed the tapes that were done and just about all time it is a fast tractor going down one of the tracks. The members did step up to the plate and help out. To all of our members THANK YOU.
Dee and Ricky,Thanks for working together and keeping the sleds running . Another question was ,Why do we have to pull on two sleds ? Well guys and gals if you do not want a challenge then we need to set the sled at one place ,one kind of dirt and as soon as you get finish pulling just park your tractor beside the sled until the next time you pull and it will be just like going to a park that has rides at ,You know what you will do every time you pull. The same distance ,the same everything. I only got to pull on one sled and I was looking foward to running on two different sleds, I think that would have been a great challenge.
Looking back at this week end I can not see a lot that I would have changed. I really want to thank everybody that made this happen. Everybody from the Horse Center, Jim from Easten Garden Tractor for helping with putting it on their web site. Julian and his family making the long trip down to sell parts and put on a great show. Skip and Matt for coming to pull along with selling parts.
Like always you are welcome to put what ever you want on the Track Talk Page . That is the reason I made that so the members can go on there and say what they want. Just remember if you go on there and start commenting on how you could have done it better,well guess what you might get your chance to do so .
Also I remember Katie sitting at breakfast bitting her nails , she did look scared . I went over to her and told her I was proud of her being a young puller,that I know this is big for you ,but just think that we are back in Franklin Co., Horsepasture, or where ever. Just have fun today and after it is all over, then set back and take it all in . I know it is big, I know you have some of the biggest names in tractor pulling here. Just have fun. And guess what she did ,She won her a trophy. That is what it is all about. Congratulations to everybody who won.
After it was all over some of us went out to eat and have a few drinks , We all needed that. We just sat there and talked and had a great time. All of the stress went away.
Again I sound like an broken record but Thanks again to everybody that came and I hope you all can make it to our next pull. Also do not forget to go to Ricky's pulls coming up if you can to support Orange County Pullers along with the guys that came down from Maryland. And like always Keep On Pullin.
Keith